Hiroshima IPPIN KITTE Osaka Store, operated by Orizuru Tower Co., Ltd., will host a special fair in collaboration with Higashihiroshima City titled "Minsai! Kinsai! Higashihiroshima Fair" from February 28 (Saturday) to April 23 (Thursday), 2026.
This fair brings the charm of Higashihiroshima, centered around the sake capital of Saijo, to Osaka. Visitors can enjoy sake tastings from 10 breweries in Higashihiroshima, and the city's tourism mascot "Nonta" will make its first appearance at KITTE Osaka. Additionally, the fair features limited tastings of "Higashihiroshima Koi Chicken," Hiroshima Prefecture's only brand chicken. The event offers visitors a multi-sensory experience to see, smell, taste, hear, and touch the attractions of Higashihiroshima.
Experience the Town Where Sake Breweries and Nature Thrive
Higashihiroshima is widely known as a "sake town," with the Sake Festival as its flagship event. Saijo, in particular, is counted as one of "Japan's Three Great Sake Brewing Regions," and this pride is deeply rooted in the town's history.
Higashihiroshima is also blessed with a rich natural environment. The area spans from the Chugoku Mountains in the north to the Seto Inland Sea in the south, creating a landscape where mountains, rivers, and seas harmonize beautifully. The diverse products nurtured by this natural bounty are another major attraction of the region.
This special fair, held in collaboration with Higashihiroshima City, allows visitors to directly handle and taste the region's products. During the event period, there will be special sales of Higashihiroshima products, as well as tastings and sampling opportunities. Popular items and limited products not typically available in Osaka will be featured for a limited time.
New Brand Product: Higashihiroshima Koi Chicken Tasting Sales
Higashihiroshima Koi Chicken is Hiroshima Prefecture's only brand chicken, featuring a pleasant texture and rich umami flavor. It was developed through joint research between Hiroshima University and Higashihiroshima City.
While typical young chickens (broilers) are shipped in 40 to 50 days, Higashihiroshima Koi Chicken is carefully raised for over 130 days—about three times longer. This extended raising period creates a depth of flavor with concentrated umami. The more you chew, the more the taste spreads, allowing you to enjoy the authentic deliciousness of chicken.
Product Name: Higashihiroshima Koi Chicken Prosciutto, Higashihiroshima Koi Chicken Charcoal Grilled
Seller: CONTACT LLC
Price: From ¥864 (tax included)
Tasting Sales Dates:
March 14 (Saturday) and 15 (Sunday), 11:00 AM until sold out
Where There's Nonta, There's Deliciousness! Higashihiroshima City Tourism Mascot "Nonta" Makes First Appearance at KITTE Osaka
Higashihiroshima City's tourism mascot "Nonta" is coming to Osaka. Based on the charming local legend that "tanuki (raccoon dogs) would disguise themselves as humans to buy sake" that has been passed down in the sake capital of Saijo, Nonta jumped out from this legend as an ambassador for "sake and gastronomy."
Sporting a smartly worn "happi coat" and holding a "tokkuri (sake flask)," Nonta spreads love for the city with an adorable smile, saying, "Higashihiroshima has more than just sake breweries—there's so much delicious food too!"
At this fair venue, Nonta will appear in various places. If you spot Nonta, it's a sign that "delicious things are nearby." Store greetings and photo opportunities with visitors are also planned. Come meet the adorable Nonta!
Dates: March 20 (Friday, National Holiday) and March 21 (Saturday)
Session 1: 12:00 PM
Session 2: 1:30 PM
Session 3: 3:00 PM
Session 4: 4:30 PM (March 20 only)
*Each session lasts approximately 20 minutes
Sake from Higashihiroshima, One of Japan's Leading Brewing Regions
Saijo is known nationwide as one of "Japan's Three Great Sake Brewing Regions," alongside Nada in Hyogo and Fushimi in Kyoto. "Ginjo sake," which has greatly contributed to improving the quality of Japanese sake, also has its roots in Higashihiroshima, representing the efforts of predecessors passed down through each drop.
For this special occasion, a tasting set featuring all 10 Higashihiroshima breweries and a special sake series called "Kuramusubi" are available. Enjoy comparing the different flavors unique to each brewery.
10 Brewery Sake Tasting
Breweries: Kamoizumi, Kamotsuru, Kirei, Saijotsuru, Sanyotsuru, Hakubotan, Fukubijin, Kinko, Imada Shuzo Honten, Kara
Price: From ¥1,650 (tax included)
Tasting Sales Dates:
March 20 (Friday, National Holiday) and 21 (Saturday)
11:00 AM until sold out
Tasting of "Kuramusubi" Available Only at Michi-no-Eki Saijo Nonta no Sakagura
Kuramusubi is an original label series produced by Michi-no-Eki Saijo Nonta no Sakagura, designed to connect Saijo's sake breweries with people. The series features junmai daiginjo and daiginjo sake carefully selected by each brewery, offering elegant and refined aromas and full-bodied umami flavors—making them ideal gifts.
At this fair, all seven varieties from the "Kuramusubi" series representing Saijo's sake breweries will be featured. Please find your favorite bottle.
Product Name: Kuramusubi
Breweries: Kamoizumi, Kamotsuru, Kirei, Saijotsuru, Sanyotsuru, Hakubotan, Fukubijin
Seller: Michi-no-Eki Saijo Nonta no Sakagura
Price: From ¥2,000 (tax included)
Tasting Sales Dates:
April 4 (Saturday), 5 (Sunday), 11 (Saturday), 12 (Sunday), 18 (Saturday), and 19 (Sunday)
11:00 AM until sold out
Store Information
Hiroshima IPPIN KITTE Osaka Store
Hours: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Closed: Irregular holidays
Location: 3-2-2 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, KITTE Osaka 2F, Section 206
Phone: 06-6485-8961
